mirror

mirror.

an image of myself.

no.

an image of what the world wants me to be.

no.

an image of what the world makes me believe I have to be:

thigh gap

big butt, small waist

big lips, perfect teeth

all natural, lean,

not too muscular abs.

but make it look effortless. make it all look

effortless

ah, effortless. 

the key word.

no.

the key,

to life itself.

effortless.

struggle until you break.

break until you can't be fixed- 

but

keep going. keep breaking.

and make it effortless.

until you broken pieces are scattered

to the wind for someone to

find.

oh, you poor soul.

the world has won.

you are too broken,

don't ask for help.

they won't hear your cries.

that's what the voice in your head says.

no.

don't listen to it!

life takes effort

being broken takes effort

fixing takes effort

and time

and love

oh, you poor soul.

you think you are alone.

you think you are too broken.

but you are not

i am here.

and that takes effort.

but i am proud to

show the effort.

no.

i am thankful to show it

to show my scars.

they are proof of the effort.

they mirror the effort.